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WHAT GOD HATH JOINED 

Jl Society Drama in Four Acts 
Discussing the Divorce Question 

BY 
RICHARD D. KATHRENS 



Cast of Characters: 

SENATOR LYMAN J. MASTERS ) . p _ 

W1LLSON STAPLETON, \ Law rartners 

FREDERICK GORDON President First National Bank 

PARSON MURDOCK Christian Minister 

PAUL GORDON Son, Frederick Gordon 

RAY HEATH ) v A „ 

HORACE G1LMORE ) Young Attorne y s 

HARVEY Butler at Stapletons 

BARCUS Sen. Master's Office Man 

LOUISE Maid at Stapletons 

MRS. STAPLETON Wife of Willson Stapleton 

MRS. PAUL GORDON Formerly Minnie Stapleton 



Scene of Play — Salem. Mass. 
Time — Present Period. 



Synop 



sis 



ACT I Library, Home of Willson Stapleton. (Evening in July.) 

ACT II Office, Senator Masters. (Thirty days Later.) 

ACT III Reception Room at Stapletons, late in afternoon. (Seven 
months Later.) 

ACT IV Office Senator Masters. (Following day.) 



V 
1 C\ * 



COPYRIGHT 1911 
RICHARD D. KATHRENS 

KANSAS CITY, MO, 



[All Rights Reserved.] 



©CI.D 28181 
NO. I 



WHAT GOD HATH JOINED 



ACTI. 

Library, Willson Stapleton* s home. Early in the evening. Staple- 
ton is seated at writing table in act of closing a letter. Rings for butler. 
(Enter Harvey, the butler.) 



Stapleton — (Reading letter; seals it and hands to butler) . Harvey, do 
you think you can get this letter to the post office in time to catch the 
Limited for Boston? 

Harvey — (Glancing at the clock). The Limited goes through here at 
eight o'clock, Sir, and the mail closes about a half hour earlier. It is now 
7:15—1 ought to make it in ten minutes, and have five minutes to spare. 

Stapleton — Don't let anything delay you, for that is an important let- 
ter. (Harvey starts to go.) And, Harvey, you had better inquire at the 
office to make sure, and let me know. (Harvey starts a second time.) And, 
Harvey, (handing him a coin) buy a special delivery stamp and paste it on 
the letter before mailing. 

Harvey — As you direct, Sir. (Exit Harvey.) 

Stapleton — If Masters is at his hotel, he will get my letter before 9 :30 
to-night, and if no mischief has been done by that time, maybe we can get 
our breath for another day. (Walks about room.) Masters is a good fellow 
— a brilliant mind, thoroughly unselfish and absolutely on the square, but 
his radicalism is becoming a serious menace to our practice. 

I sometimes believe he is right, and I envy him his frank and fearless 
advocacy of what he believes, but in this day and age no man can well 
afford to defy the conventions — to challenge the power of money, or to 
ignore the Church as a factor to reckon with. Future events may in time 
justify the course of the man who dares to do these things ; but in his own 
day and generation the reformer is always made to pay a fearful price 
for his charged apostacy. (Enter Mrs. Stapleton.) 

Mrs. Stapleton — Willson, haven't you reached a conclusion as yet con- 
cerning your future relations with Senator Masters ? I tell you things are 
coming to a serious pass, and you are expected to do something. 

Stapleton — I am thinking hard about it. I should like above all things 
to shape my affairs to your liking, but there are many other matters to be 
considered. 

Mrs. S. — But, can there be any considerations that take precedence 
of your duty to your family — your religious convictions, and your social 
position ? 

Stapleton — Possibly not, but I must be fair with Masters. (Nervously 
walking about the room.) 

Mrs. S. — Yes, Willson, but not at the expense of your self respect, 
and the social opportunity of your family. You must not forget that the 
marriage of our daughter into the Gordon family entails upon you, at this 
time, an additional obligation. 



Stapleton — Well, what about the Gordons. We have given them our 
only daughter : what more do they expect of us ? 

Mrs. S. — Probably they do not expect anything more, but they are 
entitled to our good will, and our friendly concern for their interests. 

Stapleton — Yes, I grant you — 

Mrs. S. — You know the Gordons are not only the strongest family 
in Salem, financially, and the first in every social sense, but they are very 
active in Church work. 

Stapleton — -Yes, that is all true — 

Mrs. S. — And, it is well known that Frederick Gordon is back of the 
Federation Bill, against which Senator Masters waged such bitter warfare, 
in the last Senate. 

Stapleton — That's just where the shoe pinches, I rather agree with 
Masters' philosophy. I have always found him just about right on most 
questions. He has a faculty of seeing things in advance of other men, and 
of course, is not always understood — such men never are taken at their 
full worth. He may sometimes lack policy, but Masters is never a hypo- 
crite. 

Mrs. S. — But, Willson, we are rapidly approaching a family crisis, as 
a result of this man's intense radicalism, and you must now decide between 
Masters and Gordon. There is no middle ground. Paul Gordon is our son- 
in-law; his father is the financial factor back of the movement to abolish 
divorce in this state, and your law partner has craftily blocked this worthy 
legislation — has defeated it, in fact — and, that is not all — he has given his 
name — so long and so intimately linked with that of Stapleton — to the 
opposition measure, which not only seeks to sanction divorce, but recog- 
nizes the right of married people to separate for trivial differences, and 
to marry as often as they like. 

Stapleton — Ha, ha, hardly that, my dear — 

Mrs. S. — Yes, that, and more, Willson. He maintains that a woman 
should have a divorce, if she happens to want it — not necessary to make 
any charges against her husband, or to admit any of her own short- 
comings. 

Stapleton — Well, I am surprised, indeed, that any woman should find 
fault with Masters' position. As I understand it, he designs to place the 
whole question of divorce in the hands of the wife. 

Mrs. S. — You may rest assured, Willson, there is some trick in this. 
He very likely hopes to place the responsibility for all family discord on 
the shoulders of the wife. You can't fool me. The solicitude for women, 
displayed by our legislators — especially in this age of approaching female 
suffrage — may be regarded with a degree of suspicion. 

Stapleton — My dear, I am sure you do Masters an injustice. I have 
known him intimately during all my active years — associated with him 
nearly a quarter of a century — and in all that time, no man has ever 
questioned his absolute honesty. He holds some extremely radical views, 
to my way of thinking, and probably is a little too frank and candid in his 
dealings with the public, but I never knew another man so completely and 
earnestly devoted to the service of his fellow. Now, let's do him justice, 
whatever we may think about the question of divorce. 

Mrs. S. — But, Willson, you are getting away from the issue. The 
question resolves itself to this. Are you going to break with your family, 
or with your law partner? — and, I want it distinctly understood that I 
am against your law partner — 

Stapleton — Now, not so fast, my dear. I fear you are manufacturing 
an issue. I don't wish to break with either my family or my law partner. 



Mrs. S. — That's it,exactly — decision, was never your distinguishing 
characteristic, Willson, and it is becoming noticeable to others. Why, only 
yesterday, at the Mothers' Union, Mrs. Burgess told me to my teeth, that 
you lacked the backbone to draw the reins on Masters — and, I am begin- 
ning to believe it is true. 

Stapleton — Now, Mrs. Burgess is just talking. She does not know 
Masters or his real attitude on this question — I dare say, she knows nothing 
of the question. Besides, it is not a matter of "backbone." I have no 
right to even attempt to draw the reins on Masters — it's absurd. 

Mrs. S. — But, is it not clear to your mind, Willson, that so long as 
you continue in partnership with Senator Masters you become a party to 
his doings — a sharer in his fortunes — and you will not be able to escape 
the penalty for his mistakes. The public will not make the fine distinction 
that you think. 

Stapleton — Well, I must have more time in which to think about it — 

Mrs. S. — And all the while I am to be subjected to suspicion, and the 
contumely of the self-respecting people of this town. 

Stapleton — You are borrowing trouble unnecessarily. I am sure you 
are unduly exercised over this matter — far more than the merits of the 
controversy warrant. 

Mrs. S. — Willson, why do you persist in making light of such a serious 
matter. All the church people are unalterably opposed to any move to 
give legal sanction to divorce, or social recognition to any divorcee. Sena- 
tor Masters flies in the face of these people — mocks their most cherished 
beliefs — snaps his fingers at their Scriptures, and most irreverently speaks 
of marriage as purely a civil contract. (Enter Butler — Harvey.) 

Harvey — Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gordon are in the reception hall, and, I 
have to say, your letter reached the post office in time for the Limited, 
Sir. 

Stapleton — All right, Harvey — show the children in this way. (Enter 
Paul Gordon and wife) . 

Mrs. S. — Glad to see you, dear — and you, too, my boy, Paul. 

Paul Gordon — Have you seen the extra Transcript? (Lights cigar- 
ette.) 

Stapleton — Extra Transcript ! Why, no. Knew nothing about it. 

Paul — There's something doing when the Transcript goes yellow. 

Stapleton — What's the occasion for the extra? 

Paul — That's what brings us in. The boys down town are making 
as much noise, as if the President had been assassinated. 

Mrs. S. — What in the world has happened. 

Paul — Senator Masters has broken loose down at Boston, that's all. 

Mrs. Gordon — It is just awful, Mama. 

Paul — Has father telephoned you ? 

Stapleton — No. 

Paul — I guess he changed his mind. He is terribly exercised over this 
latest outburst of Masters ; and feels greatly mortified. He had me get a 
copy of the paper and bring it over, as he thought the boys would hardly 
get out this far. 

Stapleton — I am indebted to lrm, and to you. 

Mrs. S. — Willson, I've just felt nervous all day, and now I realize 
that I must have had some presentiment of this. 

Stapleton — I was fearful myself of some impolitic utterance at this 
time and had posted a letter to Masters only an hour ago, urging extreme 
caution and discretion. 



Paul — He's done the impolitic all right (puffing cigarette) and as for 
caution and discretion, he has forgotten their meaning. Father could 
hardly stand it — he went up stairs just about sick. 

Mrs. G. — Paul, can't you stop smoking — just a minute. 

Paul — Why, no one is objecting, but you — 

Mrs. S. — Let him smoke, dear — men seem to get so much comfort out 
of this harmless habit. 

Paul — Father thinks that Masters is either crooked or crazy (Staple- 
ton looks over the paper at young Gordon, but makes no comment.) 

Mrs. G. — 0, mama, Senator Masters must be a bad man, to have such 
shocking notions, and Paul and Father Gordon think his interview per- 
fectly disgraceful. 

Mrs. S. — What did I tell you, Willson ; well what does he have to say — 

Stapleton — Pretty strong for the present temper of the people — 

Paul : — Read it out loud, if you think the folks can stand it. 

Stapleton — Suppose you read it, (hands paper to young Gordon). 
Now, we may not agree with Masters, but let me ask you to read the story 
as effectively as you can — just as you would read it, if it were your own 
statement. 

Mrs. G. — I sincerely trust my husband will never be guilty of such 
an unchristian statement. 

Mrs. S. — That's right, my little dear, (graciously.) 

Paul — Well, here goes — there's lots of it. (Reads from paper.) 

A DIVORCE FOR THE ASKING 

That's the head line. 

Senator Masters of Salem 

Defines His Position 

on the Divorce 

Question. 



Leaves No Room for Doubt 



He Would Give to the Wife 

Final Power in All 

Divorce Actions. 



Mrs. S. — Almost my exact words, Willson. This is simply shocking in 
the extreme — 

Paul — That is only a starter. (Continues to read from the paper.) 

The Hon. Lyman Masters, of the Senatorial district — probably the 

most talked about man in Massachusetts — registered at the Parker House 
this morning. His coming to town had been unannounced, but he was 
recognized as he entered the lobby of the hotel and the news of his presence 
spread like wild fire. Almost immediately he became the center of an ad- 
miring and curious throng. In answer to a hundred questioners, who de- 
manded to know his position on various phases of the divorce problem, he 
declared that he was in the capitol on a purely professional mission, and 
had not expected to discuss any of the campaign issues, but he added : "I 
cannot ignore the apparently popular demand for a statement from me 
as to my attitude on this great question, which the spontaneity of your 
call seems to reflect, and I promise you that before I return to Salem I will 
give to the press a clear and unequivocal statement of my position. You 



may be assured that I will not hedge, and that I will speak my mind with- 
out regard to consequences, political or otherwise." 

Stapleton — That's Masters, all right. 

Mrs. S. — That means that he does not care what embarrassment 
he may bring to Willson Stapleton or his family. 

Paul — (resuming reading) It was Senator Masters who led the 
fight in the last assembly against the Uniform Divorce bill which had the 
endorsement of the Federation of Church Societies, and the active support 
of the administration leaders. Notwithstanding the backing of these 
powerful forces, Masters was able by his eloquence and the persuasive 
power of his logic, to force the withdrawal of the Federation measure and 
the substitution of his own bill, which feat of legislative engineering is 
without parallel in the history of Massachusetts. (Paul remarks here.) 
That was the first time I ever heard father swear. The news of the de- 
feat of the Federation measure did not reach Salem until nearly mid-night. 
We all sat up, expecting a victory for our side, and prepared to celebrate. 
When the news finally came, father was speechless for a minute; then he 
arose and slowly left the room, but we all distinctly heard him say : "Damn, 
that fellow, Masters!" 

Mrs. G. — I remember, that was before our marriage. Mother Gordon 
was greatly mortified, and Parson Murdock, who was there, excused Father 
Gordon's profanity on the ground that the provocation was very great, 
and that he, too, was of the opinion that Masters should at least be ex- 
cluded from Paradise — 

Mrs. S — I think I quite agree with the Parson, and I approve, too, 
Mr. Gordon's terse and forceful way of putting it. 

Paul — (resuming reading) The Federation bill was intended to 
practically abolish divorce in this state, by limiting the causes for which 
legal separation might be had. The Masters bill, on the other hand, de- 
signs to afford the unhappily mated the most expeditious release from their 
matrimonial bonds, and for comparatively trivial causes. 

Mrs. S. — 0, the heathen — 

Paul — (continues to read) It is a complete reversal of the Federa- 
tion bill. 

Mrs. S. — A complete victory for Mammon — just think of it, Will- 
son — your partner! 

Paul — (continuing to read) The promised statement was delivered 
to a Transcript representative at six o'clock this evening, just as the Sena- 
tor was boarding his train for Salem, and the full text here follows — 

THAT THE PEOPLE MAY KNOW. 

"That there may be no good reason for misapprehension in the public 
mind concerning my position on the divorce question, I beg to submit for 
the thoughtful consideration of voters the following brief of my views : 
(Paul puts in here — Now, everybody take a long breath, (resumes read- 
ing.) 

"I am opposed to the Scriptural theory with reference to the perma- 
nency of the marriage bond." 

Mrs. G. — What does that mean, papa — the Scriptural theory — 

Stapleton — Well, er — I — I am not just clear on that myself — I think 
it appears in Genesis — maybe — 

Mrs. S. — Willson, it has been a long time, I am sure since you read the 



Sermon on the Mount — It refers to marriages being made in Heaven, my 
dear — 

Paul — Why, it's in Genesis, isn't it, where we are told about the 
creation and Adam and Eve and — the Ark and Jonah and — 

Mrs. G.— Well, what in the world has that get to do with marriage? 

Stapleton — (ringing the bell) I'll refer you to an authority on 
these questions (enter Harvey, the Butler). Harvey, can you tell us what 
is meant by the Scriptural theory of marriage? 

Harvey — I think so, Sir. According to the Scripture, or more prop- 
erly speaking, the Ecclesiastic interpretation of the Scripture, marriage 
is the union of one man and one woman for life — 

Stapleton — Thank you, Harvey- 
Harvey — But, human experience and court records demonstrate that 
marriage is not a life union, Sir. 

Mrs. S. — That will do, Harvey. (Harvey withdraws). He talks like a 
student of Masters. 

Stapleton — Continue, Paul. 

Paul — (resuming reading) 'There is no justification in law or morals 
for the life-duration of the marriage contract — 

Mrs. S. — (breaking in) What presumption to offer his puny judg- 
ment against the authority of the Scriptures — 

Paul — (continuing to read) "and, in my opinion, there is no good rea- 
son why such contracts should not be terminated by the mutual consent 
of the parties making them." 

Stapleton — Of course, you understand, Masters regards the marriage 
covenant as purely a civil contract. 

Paul — (continuing to read) "The right to engage one's self should 
carry with it the right to withdraw from the engagement; and the right 
to marry should imply the right to un-marry, or divorce." 

Paul — That sounds all right to me — 

Mrs. G — Why, Paul, Father and Mother Gordon both said that that 
was positively sinful — 

Paul — (resuming) "Under existing conditions, in Christian coun- 
tries, I regard divorce as a moral and social necessity." 

Mrs. S. — The perfect audacity of the man — I never heard the like 
before. 

. Mrs. G. — I wonder why de doesn't move to China. 

Stapleton — There's only one Masters — 

Mrs. S. — Heaven be praised for that ! 

Paul — (resuming) "It is nothing short of a brutal outrage of common 
decency, that any law of God or man, should require two unmated, unloved 
people to live in wedlock." 

Mrs. S. — I think it hardly proper, Willson, that our daughter should 
listen to this — it is sacreligious ! 

Mrs. G. — Why, Mama, it may be wrong to think and write that way, 
but it seemed to me as Father Gordon read that part, that I felt something 
in me responding to Senator Masters' view. I know it must be wicked of 
me, and so I have tried to close my mind to it. 

Mrs. S. — That's right, my dear, you must never allow such poisonous 
and vicious theories to find lodgment in your mind. When you are in doubt, 
I advise that you go to Parson Murdock — Look to Heaven for consolation 
and guidance. 

Paul — Just get this: — "The promise exacted in the marriage cere- 
mony, to 'love until death do us part,' always struck me as a bit extrava- 
gant, if not ridiculous." 

8 



Mrs. S. — 0, isn't that simply awful ! 

Paul — (resuming to read) "We have very little to do with our loves. 
Love is not a matter of the will, or a thing of the tongue; neither is it a 
commodity of the heart, to be bargained for or bartered away. I think 
the marriage form should be modified in this particular. Rational people 
should not be required to place themselves in the false position of agreeing 
to do something that lies entirely beyond their power and control. 

Mrs. S. — He's an artful talker — and plausible to the ear — 

Paul — (continues reading) "The loveless home is an abomination, 
and should not be tolerated one minute longer than is absolutely neces- 
sary. I have in mind the fearful consequences to society and the race, 
certain to result from the enforced marital relation of mismated and 
magnetically repellant natures, and I contend that the law should pro- 
vide a means for the prompt dissolution of the marriage bond, in all 
such cases, without shame, scandal or a sacrifice of self respect." 

Stapleton — It seems to me that Masters takes a very high ground, in 
that instance — 

Mrs. G. — Surely, Mama, you would not want to live with a man you 
couldn't love? 

Mrs. S. — Married people have only themselves to blame for such a con- 
dition. If discord comes into the home, it comes because God wills it — 
we cannot always understand the divine plan. 

Paul — Listen to Masters. He draws the issue in pretty strong terms. 
(Reads.) "I cannot conceive how right minded people can take issue with 
me as to the wisdom, justice or morality of my position. (Mrs. Stapleton 
moves nervously, and displays her displeasure.) I can understand how 
there may be some honest difference as to the legal course in such actions, 
and the methods of determining the equities involved, and so I desire also 
that my views and convictions touching this phase of the problem be clearly 
understood." 

Mrs. S. — I care not what Masters may think or say on this question. 
Divorce itself is an evil — a complete defiance of the Scriptural injunction, 
and such a thing cannot be thought of under any circumstances. 

Paul — (Resumes to read) "In my opinion, the wife along should de- 
cide every divorce action to which she is a party" — 

Mrs. S. — That's the first sane sentiment he has indulged. (Paul 
winks at Mr. Stapleton.) 

Paul — (Continuing reading.) "The law should recognize the natural 
right of every woman to determine for herself the question of maternity 
in her case" — 

Mrs. S. — Well, perhaps — 

Paul — (Reading) "She should have the right to select the father of 
her own child — 

Mrs. S. — (Putting her hands to her ears) 0, no! No! That is 
scandalous ! 

Paul — (Continues) "which implies the right to divorce and re-marry. 
She should also have the equal right to refuse to subject herself to the 
possibility of becoming a mother, under conditions not pleasing to her, 
or under circumstances that would affect the physical or mental develop- 
ment of her child, or that would tend to diminish her love for it." 

Stapleton — That is certainly advanced ground. 

Paul — We are coming to the end of this. (Resuming to read) "It 
is my firm belief that the ends of justice and the best interests of society 
would be better served, if a divorce were "granted to any woman who was 
willing to ask for it." 



Mrs. S. — Now, Willson, did you ever hear anything more superlatively 
shameful ? He would make a mere mockery of matrimony. And, I suppose 
a man would not be required to even go through the formality of asking? 

Mrs. G. — No, no, Mama, you're mistaken. Isn't she, Paul? 

Paul — I think Masters is entirely too one sided. Here's what he says : 
(Reads) "This does not mean that a husband should have a divorce, upon 
liis request — 

Mrs. S.— Oh! 
Paul — (Resuming.) On the contrary, I hold that a husband is never 
entitled to a divorce, unless his wife is willing that he shall have it." 

Mrs. S. — Well, I concede there is a grain of sense in that. 

Paul — (Still reading.) "So long as men propose in marriage, women 
should dispose in divorce." 

Paul — There's some class to that, eh! (Continues to read.) "And a 
sane and civilized marriage system would make divorce the prerogative 
solely of the wife." (Paul interjects.) Here's the climax. "On the ques- 
tion of the right of divorced people to re-marry, I have this to say: The 
law should in no way interfere with, or restrict the right or opportunity 
of any divorcee to re-marry ; or to prescribe a time limit in which such per- 
sons shall not marry. 

[Signed] "Lyman J. Masters." 

Mrs. S. — That last declaration amounts to a blasphemy, Willson. We 
might find some excuse for all the rest of Masters' radicalism, but when 
a man openly and publicly assails the most sacred institution of society, it 
is time that self-respecting, Christian people take a stand against him, 

Mrs. G. — That's just what Father Gordon said — 

Mrs. S. — I only wish I could prevail upon Willson to see his duty at 
this time. I won't be able to look my friends in the face after this — and, 
my husband's partner ! 

Stapleton — My duty! It is quite clear, but, my dear, I am not privi- 
leged to do my duty. 

Mrs. S. — Why, Willson, I do not understand you. 

Stapleton — Of course, you do not understand. Your idea of my duty, 
at this time, is to do the thing that will please Mrs. Burgess and her class — 

Mrs. S. — Willson, Mrs. Burgess is a splendid, Christian woman. 

Stapleton — I grant you all that. She means well, but she does not 
think deeply, and she and her kind, however splendid and Christian, are 
incapable of deciding questions that involve the slightest turning away 
from the puritanical notions of their grand parents. My desertion of Mas- 
ters, in this crisis, will establish me in her high favor, I am sure. However, 
cowardly and un-Christian my act towrads my friend, it would be hailed 
by her, because of her prejudiced view, as an evidence of "backbone" in 
me; but, if I were perfectly free to do as my conscience directs, I should 
prefer to get along without her favor, and without the particular vertebra 
that seems to be lacking in my make-up. 

Mrs. S. — But what are we to do? We cannot afford to affront and 
outrage these people. They are in the large majority. They mean more to 
us, and to our social position and opportunity, than a thousand Masters. 

Paul — That's the candy — 

Mrs. G.— Sh-h, Paul. 

Stapleton — Exactly, "we can't afford." We are victims of custom and 
convention — puppets, danced upon a string — afraid to assert ownership 
to our own souls, and controlled by decadent philosophies and dead men's 

10 



opinions. My duty, is to stand by Masters in this crisis. His life is in 
this work, and he has no thought but the service of his fellow. 

Mrs. S. — This is no time for heroics, Willson — 

Paul — I'll bet on your mother. (Mrs. Gordon puts her hand over Paul's 
mouth.) 

Mrs. S. — It is not your duty to stand by your law partner, when such 
action on your part is certain to bring disaster upon you, and seriously 
embarrass the social standing and opportunity of your family. Your 
family must come first, and I think even Masters would say as much. 

Stapleton — Ah, there's the rub. Masters is magnanimous, and he 
would understand. 

Mrs. S. — Well, why delay or hesitate, then, when, your duty is here, 
even if we are wrong? You have no right to sacrifice us on Masters' altar. 

Paul — Sounds like Bryan, doesn't it? 

Stapleton — I see there is no chance of cnangmg your view, or bringing 
you to see the rank injustice which you force me, in the name of duty, to 
work against my friend ; and, I have concluded to be guided in this instance 
by what you conceive to be my duty. 

Paul — Hurrah! The lady wins! 

Stapleton — I shall announce my withdrawal, in the morning, from the 
firm of Masters and Stapleton, but — 

Paul (On the side.) That's the dope — there's no money in the other 
game. 

Stapleton — but, I want it understood that I take this step reluctantly, 
out of deference to the wish of my family, who have religious convictions 
and social aspirations apart from my own. 

Mrs. S. — (Embraces her husband and exclaims) The Lord will bless 
you for it. 

[Curtain.] 



11 



ACT II. 

Law office of Senator Masters. Evening in August. Ray Heath, a 
young lawyer, is seated at reading table deeply engrossed in a volume 
of the law. {Enter Barcus.) 

Barcus — Good evening, Mr. Heath. 

Heath — Howdy, Barcus. 

Barcus — Little unusual for you to be down town at night, isn't it ? 

Heath — Yes, but Gilmore and I have a damage case in Division Four 
that will be called first thing in the morning, and I'm just stuffing a little. 
Got on to an Illinois decision, late this afternoon, that takes acre of our 
contention. Have just finished it (looking at his watch) and guess I'll go 
home. What's going on here to-night? 

Barcus — I don't know precisely. The Senator has an appointment 
here at eight o'clock, and he asked me to come down. 

Heath— Political? 

Barcus — Well, that's my guess. Everything else seems to have given 
way to politics of late. Someone is coming now. (Enter Horace Gilmore.) 
O, it's Gilmore. 

Gilmore — Hello, friend Barcus. Did you find it, Heath? What did I 
tell you? Every issue in our case is covered by that opinion, and it is 
clear cut and decisive, too. Nothing to do now, but collect our fee, eh, old 
man? 

Heath — Come on, Gilmore, we are likely to get in the way here. Some 
of the boys with axes to grind are coming in to compare symptoms with the 
Senator. 

Gilmore — Well, I want to tell you, whoever they are, they will know 
more when they leave here, you can wager on that, eh, Barcus ? 

Barcus — The Senator is usually well able to manage his own affairs. 

Gilmore — I should remark. I happened to be in here the day Staple- 
ton withdrew from the firm. That was a difficult situation, and Masters 
handled it in such a way as to awaken my admiration. It was plain to him 
that Stapleton was the victim of unfortunate circumstances, and was co- 
erced into doing the very thing his conscience and nature disapproved. 

Heath — Well, don't you know, I thought something of that sort was at 
the bottom of that split, 

Gilmore — Why, Stapleton could hardly speak above a whisper. The 
agreement to dissolve the partnership had evidently been reached, before 
I came in, and the old partners were taking leave of each other. Stapleton 
said: "I am depending solely upon the goodness of your heart to acquit 
me of any connivance or design of any sort to do you the least violence. 
Circumstances entirely beyond my control force me to sacrifice my own per- 
sonal desires in order that I may satisfy other obligations, that no man 
can rightfully ignore. I know you, of all men, will understand me, and will 
not hold me recreant," and Masters, extending his hand, answered : "I have 
no family, Stapleton; I am free to think and act as I will, and to take the 
responsibility upon my own head. I cannot expect you to stand with me 
as against those you love, and who have a right to make demands upon 

12 



you. It is hard to give you up at this time, but it is part of the penalty I 
must pay." Stapleton was in tears, and by gosh, I felt like blubbering 
myself. Then Masters said this : "There's my hand, Stapleton, and I want 
you to know that I admire you, because you are willing in this crisis to 
do your duty to those who have first claim on you." 

Heath — I'll bet old Frederick Gordon is at the bottom of all this. Ever 
since the marriage of Minnie Stapleton with Paul Gordon, the Stapletons 
have become Gordonized. It was an outrage, in the first place to sacrifice 
that girl's life for the miserable social return that the Gordon money might 
insure, but it's common talk that Mrs. Stapleton has been society mad for 
several years. 

Gilmore— Why, I thought that was a love match. 

Heath — A love match — a plain case of being led to the slaughter — 
what say you, Barcus? 

Barcus— Well, I'd rather not express myself, but I always thought 
that Minnie was in love with Harold Brandon. 

Heath — Of course she was, and I know Brandon was, and is now, in 
love with her. I know more than I'm willing to tell, but Brandon lacked 
the bank account, and so the Stapletons swapped the girl for a fellow who- 
has the bank roll all right, but he seems to lack everything else. 

Gilmore — But, has he got the money? That is, will he spend it? Old 
Frederick Gordon, you know, while many times a millionaire, has the repu- 
tation of being the closest man in Salem. He's a typical tight-wad. 

Heath — Yes, I know, but Paul has a fortune in his own right, that he 
got from an uncle, and he's a high liver. He goes all the paces. 

Barcus — That's news to me. I was under the impression that Old 
Gordon was a liberal man. 

Gilmore — Not on your life. He's the chilliest mark this side the 
north pole — entirely without a sentiment above dollar getting. Why, 
that skin-flint can see a dime as far as you can see the sun — and what's 
more he can tell you the date on it. (All laugh.) 

Barcus — That may be doing the old gentleman an injustice, but 
come to think about it, I've never heard a good word for him in the 
thirty years that I've lived in Salem. 

Gilmore — Then I am going to break the record and give the old 
hypocrite his due. About three weeks ago I was walking through the 
square, and I passed Gordon. He had both hands thrust into his 
trouser's pockets, his gaze fixed on a spot just ahead of his toes, and 
apparently very much pre-occupied in mind. The thing to his credit, 
which I observed on that occasion, and which I wish you to note, is that 
Gordon had his hands in his own pockets. But, getting back to Masters 
— what do you think of his chances of going back to Boston this fall? 

Heath — Why, they can't beat him. What do you say, Barcus? 
What's your honest opinion? 

Barcus — I think he will win. Of course you know I am partial to 
the Senator, and hear only from those who are friendly to him. Your 
judgment is probably much safer than mine, under the circumstances. 

Gilmore — I think it all depends on the sort of campaign the senator 
makes. 

Heath — Well, he can always be depended upon to make a strong 
campaign. 

Gilmore — I mean the territorial extent of his campaign. If he will 
cover the district, and in that way give the people a chance to see and 
hear him, it'll be all off with the other fellow. I'll wager my neck on 
his election. 

13 



Barcus — Then you are depending upon the force of his personal 
magnetism? 

Gilmore— Yes, and yet not exactly that. Masters has an inimitable 
way of stating the truth, and his logic is of a convincing, decisive sort 
that fairly cuts its way to the center, removes all doubt and establishes 
confidence. (Enter Masters.) Talk of the — Good evening to you, Sen- 
ator. We were just talking about you. 

Masters — Well, go right ahead, don't mind me. I was told that the 
Mother's union took a snap judgment on me this afternoon, and have 
branded me an enemy of society. After that I am sure I will be able to 
complacently accept anything that my friends are willing to say. 

Heath — Well, the mothers don't vote, and I don't suppose you are 
going to worry much about what they may have to say. 

Masters — You are wrong, Ray. These particular mothers, who con- 
stitute the Mother's union, may not be truly representative of the 
mothers of this community, but I am contending for a principle, and the 
success of my cause will mean more to mothers than to any other of the 
members of society. The mother is the most important factor in the 
evolutionary process ; she performs the highest function, renders the 
greatest service, and she should at all times be absolutely free in the 
exercise of all her natural rights. It is for the mothers primarily that 
I have taken upon my back the load that this campaign imposes. It 
hurts, like a knife thrust delivered by a friend, to be misunderstood and 
maligned by the very objects of our devotion. 

Gilmore — There ought to be some way of letting these old girls 
know just where you stand. I am inclined to the belief that the little 
talk you have just delivered, if dropped in a Mother's union meeting, 
would very much confuse those who marked you up "an enemy of so- 
ciety." 

Heath — I suppose the senator is depending upon his friends to take 
care of matters of that sort. (Masters nods and smiles.) But, let's be 
off, Gilmore. It's nearly eight o'clock, and we started nearly half hour 
ago. 

Gilmore — It's a matter of deep sorrow to me, Senator, that I am not 
going to be here to work and vote for you this fall. Indeed, it is one of 
the great regrets of my life. 

Masters — I appreciate your spirit, my boy, and your well wishes 
count for much. So, you are going to Texas? 

Gilmore — Yes, I expect to leave next Sunday night. 

Heath — Whew! Texas, in August. Almost prostrates one to think 
about it. 

Gilmore — 0' it's not so bad as you imagine. Several millions of 
healthy patriots manage to get along down there. 

Heath — There is one good thing, however, about living in Texas. 
After one has become acclimatized, I've been told, his skin takes on 
an asbestos quality, that 

Gilmore — Yes, yes, I know what you are going to say, but we get 
more comfort out of another contemplation. However unfortunate may 
be our lot, we always find some measure of selfish satisfaction in the 
knowledge that others are even still worse off. So, when we are in the 
midst of a real Texas sizzler, we find consolation in the thought that 
some of our Massachusetts friends may have "to go to hell, yet." 

Masters — If half we hear about the weather conditions in the Lone 
Star State is true, I am sure that the Texan may contemplate the here- 

14 



after with perfect serenity and equinimity, feeling assured that wher- 
ever he may finally stop, he will find a cooler climate. 

Heath — Ah, that's good. (Enter Barcus.) 

Barcus — (Addressing Senator Masters.) Mr. Frederick Gordon and 
Parson Murdock are in the reception office. 

Heath — That's certainly a pretty pair. A most unusual combination 
— the minister and the money-changer. 

Masters — The priest and the pirate 

Gilmore — It looks like a collusion between Heaven and Hell. (Heath 
and Gilmore start to go.) 

Masters — (Pointing to library door.) Better go this way, Ray. 
Horace, this way, please. (Then turning to Barcus.) Ask the gentle- 
men to come in. (Enter Gordon and Murdock.) Gentlemen! You are 
very prompt, Mr. Gordon. 

Gordon — I have made it a part of my life policy to be punctual The 
Reverend Mr. Murdock, Senator. (Introducing them.) 

Masters — Mr. Murdock, and I have known each other for several 
years. (To Barcus.) We shall be engaged here for some time, Mr. 
Barcus, and I will ask you to save us any interruptions. 

Barcus — Yes, Sir. 

Masters — And now, Mr. Gordon and Mr. Murdock, I am at your 
service. 

Gordon — Preliminary to the purpose of our call, I wish to say that 
the Ministers Alliance held a meeting this afternoon and drafted reso- 
lutions condemning your announced divorce doctrine, and expressive of 
their attitude in the pending campaign. Of course, you will appreciate 
that the action of that body could not be otherwise than hostile to your 
philosophy. 

Masters — Yes; I had thought as much. 

Gordon — But, there are degrees of antagonism, you know. The 
opposition of the ministers may be strong and relentless, or it may be 
apathetic and indifferent, (Masters smiles) and I suggested that one of 
their number be delegated to confer with you, and that action by their 
body be held in abeyance until their representative could report; and so 
the Rev. Mr. Murdock is here to speak for the allied ministers of this 
city. 

Masters — And, at your request 

Gordon — I thought it only fair that you be given oppor- 
tunity to make such explanation as you might wish er 

Masters — I am certainly indebted to you for your disposition to be 
fair. I think I understand you, and now permit me to ask, what con- 
stituency is represented by Mr. Gordon. 

Gordon — Well, Sir I I think I may speak for the 

people- the people, sir. That is, at least a very large part of the best 

people of this community. I 1 

Masters — But, you mistake me. I understand that Mr. Murdock has 
been regularly appointed, and is authorized to speak for, and in behalf of 
certain others, while Mr. Gordon acts in a sort of advisory capacity to 
the Ministers' Alliance, and assumes to speak also for "a large part of 
the best people." Well, in any event, I shall be glad to hear you both, 
and I will thank you to be perfectly frank with me and, if there is no 
objection, I should like to hear from Mr. Murdock first. 

Gordon — Perfectly agreeable to me, sir. 

Murdock — Senator, permit me to say at the outset, that your state- 
ment given the Press at Boston some weeks ago, relative to your views 

15 



on marriage and the question of divorce, was so in conflict with the 
views of the church — based on the teachings of the Scriptures — that we, 
the ministers, felt it our duty to make protest. 

Masters — I could offer no valid objection to your doing that which 
you conceive to be your duty. That is exactly what I am trying to do. 

Murdock — But your attitude on this question is so inimical to the 
interests of the church that we fear we w T ill be forced — much as we dis- 
like — to take formal action against you, and to warn our people against 
the dangers to flow from such un-Christian doctrine. 

Gordon — Permit me to interpose that is, of course you 

know unless you can be persuaded to modify some of your 

I may say extreme views. 

Masters — I have asked you to be frank with me, gentlemen, and I 
purpose to be perfectly candid with you and, I will say that when I gave 
my statement to the Press I was not much concerned about the interests 
of the church. I was, and am, desirous solely of rendering a service to 
the people, to society and the race, without regard to the interests of 
any individual, creed or party. 

Murdock — But, there is a moral and a spirtual side to this question, 
Senator, and the church, because of , its divine mission among men, is 
the proper guardian and conservator of those agencies that make for the 
betterment and the spiritual uplifting of the people. 

Masters — I am not seeking, nor am I desirous to usurp any right or 
function of the church. I am urging these reforms because I believe 
they are necessary at this time, and I shall welcome the support of the 
church. 

Murdock — Impossible! Senator. There is no Scriptural warrant for 
your contention, and, of course, the church cannot endorse you 

Gordon — Exactly. Your philosophy, Senator, is thoroughly un-Chris- 
tian, we believe, and the church people — if they consult their consciences 
— will have to vote against you. 

Masters — But, gentlemen, you are drawing me into a controversy I 
would rather avoid. If my views happen not to accord with the Scrip- 
tures or the arbitrary position taken by the church, relative to the in- 
stitution of matrimony, it is not because I am seeking to discredit the 
church or the Scriptures. The martial unrest, we witness on every hand 
in Christian countries, proclaims the insufficiency of the Scriptures on 
this question. Many of our social laws need reforming along practical, 
sane lines without regard to the past dictum of any school or system, 
— religious or otherwise. 

Murdock — The church cannot countenance any turning away from 
the Word, sir, as interpreted by the recognized authorities. 

Masters — Do you mean to tell me that you would not be permitted 
or justified to accept a truth unless it came to you through certain 
recognized authorities? 

Murdock — If the acceptance of that truth involved a heresy, or 
brought into question the wisdom and sufficiency of the Scriptures, or 
implied a repudiation of their divine warrant 

Gordon — Ood knew that His Word would be questioned, so he left 
the interpretation to certain constituted authorities, whose judgment is 
supreme in all such matters. 

Masters — I fear you do God an injustice, and make a travesty of the 
divine plan but, suppose the view of the church, based upon the present 
interpretation of the Scriptures should, after a while, change to fit some 
later conception of the Bible's meaning? 

16 



Murdock — We cannot speculate on what the councils of the church, 
in their wisdom, and with the guidance of Heaven, may conclude to 
do 

Masters — It is a matter of competence, and I might say that we — 
those outside the church, or only nominally within the church — are not 
convinced of the infallibility of these constituted authorities, and are un- 
willing to depend solely upon their judgment. 

Murdock — But, I am bound by vows, sir, and I must regard the 
authority of my church as final, Senator Masters. 

Gordon — And, I concur heartily in that sentiment, and I, too, bow 
reverently to the authority of the church. 

Masters — Then you gentlemen are not free to think for yourselves 
and, under the circumstances, it were useless for us to discuss a ques- 
tion upon which your view is arbitrarily fixed for you by some one else. 

Gordon — Do we not recognize certain authorities in the sciences to 
whose judgment we defer? 

Masters — Most certainly, but only because their declarations have 
stood the test of human experience, and are justified by human reason; 
but we are not getting anywhere, gentlemen. I should like to know just 
what you expect of me. I want you to know that I cannot be driven 
from my position by threats or promises. You will find me amenable to 
reason, however, but you must show me wherein I am in error, and the 
reason you advance must itself be just and rational. 

Gordon — 0, we have no threats to indulge 

Murdock — We can promise only our support, and threaten our with- 
drawal of that. 

Masters — I am not concerned so much about your support as I am 
about the soundness of the principle for which I stand. My personal 
success is a secondary consideration. If your conscience does not approve 
my course I shall expect your opposition. 

Murdock — We desire, if possible, to prevail upon you to approach 
the great work you have undertaken in a more Christian spirit, Senator. 

Masters — There is a great question in my mind if the Christ you 
profess to follow would approve of your hostility to my proposed reform 
of the marriage laws, and if I am capable of a fair appreciation of the 
character and philosophy of the man of Nazareth, I am sure he would 
condemn and renounce a large part of that which you conceive to be 
Christian. 

Murdock — I am unable to reconcile your proposed reforms with any 
of the teachings of the Nazarene. At the very outset your plans con- 
template a complete recasting of the ecclesiastic conception of marriage, 
and your attack upon the scriptural injunction is a blow directed against 
the very fundamentals of the Christ idea. 

Masters — The Scriptural theory of marriage is not a Christ idea, 
and it is certain that it never soecifically received His indorsement But, 
whether it did or not, I hold that human experience has demonstrated 
that this teaching of the Testament is destructive, and that ultimate 
social degeneracy must result from adherance to a doctrine that is neither 
scientific nor moral. My purpose is not to antagonize the church, but to 
serve the rights and demands of the people, having due regard for their 
mission in life, and the natural laws of their being. 

Murdock — Man's highest mission in life is to prepare himself for 

the kingdom — to save his immortal soul 

Gordon — Amen, Amen ! I say to that. 

Masters — I observe that we are miles apart. I may more properly 

17 



put it, generations apart. Man is the result of evolutionary forces, and 
he must go along willingly or unwillingly, in accordance with the great 
immutable laws that encompass him about; and his well-being will de- 
pend upon his ability to recognize and adjust himself to the demands of 
these natural laws. And man's highest mission in life is not to prepare 
himself for another state of existence, but under natural conditions, to 
re-produce himself. 

Gordon — You reduce the holy relation of marriage to a mere function 
of the animal nature 

Murdock — Yes, and you not only challenge the sanctity of marriage, 
but you question the right of the church to determine in these matters. 

Masters — The sanctity of marriage is a misuse of terms, and usually 
conveys a wrong meaning. If there is anything sacred about marriage 
that quality is not conferred by the ceremonies of the church, nor does 
it flow from the claimed fact that marriages are made in heaven ; but the 
reciprocal love of the contracting parties alone sanctifies the marriage 
and makes it moral and desirable. Love alone is holy. 

I do challenge the right of the church to determine in these matters, 
and chiefly because the church is concerned with the control rather than 
the service of mankind; and because the church has always been slow 
to admit any of the discoveries of science that tended to disclose testa- 
mental ignorance. 

Murdock — Would you have the church, which for two thousand 
years has preached the same gospel, abandon its consistency; confess 
that it was in error all these centuries, and reform its system to fit in 
with the new f angled notions of a socialistic age? 

Gordon — Of course not! preposterous, Sir! 

Masters — I care not what the church does or fails to do about any- 
thing, so long as its course is consistent with reason. I am concerned 
just now in reforming our marriage laws in the interest of the higher 
development of men and women physically, intellectually and morally, 
and I hold this to be of vastly greater importance than the perpetuation 
or passing of any creed, ordinance or institution. 

Murdock — It is not the province of the church to deal with these 
more or less secular matters. The church strives only for reforms that 
will accomplish the spiritual salvation of these men and women, firmly 
believing that all else will be added. 

Masters — The conditions under which men are born have much to 
do with their lives, their usefulness in the world, and I dare say, their 
soul's salvation. The position of the church has always been one of in- 
difference in these matters. The church has always considered it of 
greater importance that children should be brought up Catholic, or Bap- 
tist, or Presbyterian, than that they should be conceived under normal 
conditions and be properly born. 

Murdock — I see it is quite impossible for us to reach a common 
ground — our contention is useless. As a minister of the Christian church 
I cannot controvert the law that, "Whatsoever God hath joined, no man 
shall put asunder." I must accept this as the injunction of Heaven, 
which you seem to disregard entirely 

Gordon — Certainly, Senator, you would not go to that extreme. 

Masters — I do not wish to go to any extreme, if you mean by that 
an abandonment of reason and common sense. I most thoroughly agree 
that no man has a right to sunder, or even to attempt to sunder that 
which God hath joined. I go farther, and hold t^at no man can sunder, 
or divide, or estrange in any way that which God hath actually joined. 

18 



The question quite properly arises : "Who of those who marry, are joined 
of God?" and how are these unions brought about? There is no evidence 
that God has joined those who desire to be separated — the facts would 
seem to prove the contrary. 

Murdock — Well, Senator, it is useless for us to try to reconcile our 
differences, and I regret that I shall be obliged to report my utter failure 
to change you from your announced position, which we conceive to be in 
open hostility to the teachings of the church. The church cannot com- 
promise on this question. It is unalterably opposed to divorce, and it 
must stand as adamant against any recognition of the right of divorced 
people to make a new or second marriage alliance. The very thought is 
sinful to the Christian mind. 

Gordon — You you appreciate, Senator, what an unfavorable re- 
port will mean? 

Masters — I suppose it will mean the opposition of the ministers 

Gordon — More, Sir. It will mean the alienation of the Christian 
people, and I ask you, Sir, can you afford to permit that. 

Masters — I am not so much exercised over that fact as you seem to 
be, Mr. Gordon, and besides, I am powerless to make any terms with you 
short of a complete surrender of my position, and you gentlemen have 
failed to give me & single reason why I should abandon any of my 
opinions, or modify them in the slightest way. 

Gordon — But, Senator, is it good policy to antagonize the church 
people of this community, and is it good politics, I might also ask? 

Masters — I am not concerned about the policy or the politics of the 
situation. I shall do my duty as I see it without thought of the effect 
upon my personal fortunes. 

Murdock — I sincerely trust that you will be awakened to the error 
of your course. 

Gordon — It is positively ruinous, sir, ruinous! 

Masters — I could hardly expect you gentlemen to accept all the con- 
clusions I have reached touching the great question of marriage and di- 
vorce, but I do expect that those who essay to take issue with me before 
the people, shall first study the question. This is due, not alone in fair- 
ness to me, but in justice to the public, and the particular following 
they assume to guide. And I want to say for your benefit, Mr. Gordon, 
that this question need not be considered in its political aspect; and I 
dare say, Mr. Murdock, we need not concern ourselves much about its 
so-called religious aspects. 

Gordon — Then, pray, how shall we consider this marriage question? 

Masters — It is a problem of social economics, and its solution is to 
be found in the complete harmonizing of our laws with the great eternal 
laws. In other words, we must learn how to reform our laws, touching 
this all-important life relation, so they will not conflict with the natural 
laws; and the law of natural selection must not be hampered or inter- 
fered with by puritanical restrictions or conventional moral standards. 

Murdock — Your philosophy is ruinous and completely subversive of 
the social order. Instead of emancipating woman you would make her 
the helpless creature of the whims of men. The stability of the mar- 
riage bond is the only guarantee which either state or church can give 
to woman. 

Masters — Under my plan, the whims of men would not in any way 
menace the rieht or opportunity of any woman. She is now at the mercy 
of man, and all the standards by which she is measured are fixed bv men. 
I propose that every woman shall be absolute mistress of herself, and 






19 



the man who marries her will know that he may not, on his own motion, 
release himself from her just claims upon him for support. 

Gordon — You would give entirely too much power to the woman. 
Such a law as you advocate would produce a chaotic condition in society. 
Homes would be broken up for passing and trivial differences. 

Masters — Why limit the power of the woman in matters, distinct- 
ively within her right? Is she more fickle, more shiftless than man — 
does she lack constancy, is she less honorable, can she not be depended 
upon to deal fairly? Why place her at a disadvantage? Your imputa- 
tion, sir, is a libel on the honor and virtue of woman. 

Murdock — That is where the ministrations of the Church come in; 
and when you take away from the home and marriage the religious influ- 
ence, you sunder forever the only tie which binds — 

Gordon — And if you do away with the legal restraints also, then 
marriage is reduced to a mere romance, and its purpose will never rise 
above a gratification of the flesh, and the fostering of sentimental bliss. 

Masters — You are both controlled by the same false notion concern- 
ing the tie which binds in marriage. It is not a matter of mutual reli- 
gious conviction, or of pledges and promises made in accordance with 
prescribed rules, but it is an inexplicable attraction — a magnetic or soul 
quality that is essential to the stability of marriage. It is now known, 
Mr. Murdock, that forms and ceremonies and rituals have little to do 
with the enduring marriage — that no power in Scripture or sky can 
avail to make tolerable or desirable a union where love is not; that men 
and women, involuntarily and unconsciously, but in obedience to the law 
of affinities, seek each other, just as the metals combine and harmonize 
their atoms — just as the pollen of the flower finds its kind. And, Mr. 
Gordon, the law can in no way affect the joyous interchange of hearts 
that love, nor bind together in peaceful union those hearts that have 
ceased to love. (Gordon and Murdock start to leave.) 

Murdock — I am of the opinion that the radical reform of our mar- 
riage system, that your plan involves, would not cure the ills of society, 
as you think, but on the contrary would bring upon society new and 
unheard-of ills. 

Masters — That is mere speculation, sir. 

Gordon — To depart from the tried and tested Christian system 
would be a grievous mistake. 

Masters — And that, sir, is mere assertion. And now I want a part- 
ing word with you gentlemen, who evidently have very much misjudged 
me and my purpose: You have failed utterly to grasp the purpose 
and spirit of my contention. You came here not to discuss, but to 
coerce — you are bound by preconceived notions that color and distort 
your mental vision; you do not attempt to combat my position with 
logic, but stubbornly proclaim the sufficiency of the Scriptures to meet 
the demands of the hour. 

Gordon — To be sure — 

Murdock — Exactly, sir, but — 

Masters — The reforms in the marriage laws, to which I stand com- 
mitted, are necessary — aye, essential — to the development of men and 
women of full stature. I will admit, for argument sake, that such liberal 
laws affecting the rights of women, as I demand, may result disastrously 
in some cases, but I maintain that it were better — a thousand times bet- 
ter — that ninety-nine divorces should be granted for insufficient cause 
than that one unwelcome, unloved child should be born! 

Murdock — This is woman's rights with a vengeance. 

20 



Masters — Not at all. I plead for the child that is to be, and the 
world will yet come to my way of thinking on this question, because it 
is sane and civilized. 

Gordon — We wash our hands — the consequences are upon your head. 

Masters — I care not for the consequences to me, and I want you 
gentlemen to know that Lyman Masters will not hedge on a matter of 
principle, even to gain favor with the Pope. If you can't support me, 
I'll have to take my chances without your support. I can't retreat and 
keep peace with my conscience. It may mean political defeat, financial 
ruin, social ostracism — I care not if it mean persecution and crucifiction; 
it is my duty to my fellow, as I see my duty, and I will not fail ! Good 
night. 

Murdock — Good night. 

Gordon — Good night, Senator. 

(Exeunt Murdock and Gordon. Masters goes to reception room.) 

Masters — Come, Barcus; let's go home. 

(Curtain.) 



21 



ACT III. 

Home of Willson Stapleton. Late in afternoon in March. Louise, 
the maid, is busy arranging the reception room. (Enter Mrs. Paul Gor- 
don.) 

Mrs. Gordon — Louise, is mamma here? 
- - Louise — Yes, ma'm. (Turns to go, then aside. ) Minnie seems to be 

? Club, and she is now in her private room. 

^-_~— Mrs. G. — Tell her, if you please, that I am here to see her on a most 
r~ important matter. 

Louise — Yes, ma'm; she just returned from a meeting of the Sunshine 
I ~~ in trouble. She's not the same girl since she married that Gordon. I 
pity her, I do, for she's a dear, if ever there was one. 

Mrs. G. — (Nervously moves about the room — first sits, then goes to 
the window, then to the mantle — sits again, but extremely restless all 
the while.) How can I break this awful news to mother. Maybe I 
should continue to fight, and bear my lot, without burdening her — but 
I cannot — I cannot! I have already put off too long. I must unbosom 
myself — I cannot carry the load, alone, another day. There is a limit to 
human endurance, and it certainly has been reached in my case. Mother 
has always been my confidant — why not now? I need her more today 
than ever in my life before. (Enter Mrs. Stapleton.) 

Mrs. Stapleton — My dear Minnie! (extending her arms). 

Mrs. G. — Mother! (Embraces her mother and clings to her.) 

Mrs. S. — Why, what in the world has happened to my child — my baby 
girl! (Tries to release herself from daughter's embrace.) 

Mrs. G. — Just let me cling to you, mother — just a moment — keep 
your arms about me, and love me. 

Mrs. S. — There, there, my dear — you must be ill. You are all in a 
tremble. What has happened — won't you lie down — what's the matter? 

Mrs. G. — No. I am not ill, mother — but a thousand times worse off. 

Mrs. S. — Come, tell me all about it — I never saw you act this way 
before — you are not yourself. 

Mrs. G. — I've not been myself for months. 

Mrs. S. — For months? 

Mrs. G. — I am so unhappy, mother, I could die! (Falls in mother's 
lap and weeps.) 

Mrs. S. — 0, Minnie! That is sacrilegious. What dreadful thing can 
have happened? 

Mrs. G. — I have tried so hard — 0, so hard — to do my duty — to please 
you and father and — Paul — and I never once have sought to please my- 
self. 

Mrs. S. — Indeed, you have always been an obedient and tractable 
child — but, Minnie, you should not find it difficult to do your duty as 
daughter or wife. 

Mrs. G. — It depends much upon what is meant by duty. If it is 
duty to kill one's nature — to live a false life — to smile, when you are 
choking with grief — to affect to be happy, when your soul is in eclipse — 
to be forced to give yourself to a man whose very presence is hateful; 
whose manner is revolting, and whose touch is like that of some slimy, 
crawling thine — 0, if that is duty, then I must rebel! (Falls on table, 
and sobs heavily.) 

22 



Mrs. S. — Oh! this is madness, child. 

Mrs. G. — Maybe I am mad — if not, I fear I soon shall be (wringing 
her hands). 

Mrs. S. — 0, I wish Willson were here. I am completely unnerved 
by this shocking revelation. I am incapable of advising you in such a 
crisis (rings bell — enter Harvey). Harvey, I wish you would call Mr. 
Stapleton's office — find out what is detaining him, and ask him to hurry 
home. (Harvey bows, and goes out, and Mrs. Stapleton turns to her 
daughter.) Your father and I thought we noticed a change in you and 
Paul, but we ascribed it to a whim or tiff of the moment. (Re-enters 
Harvey.) 

Harvey — Mr. Stapleton is here, ma'am, his machine is just entering 
the driveway. (Retires.) 

Mrs. S.— Thank goodness! (Addressing herself again to Mrs. G.) 
He will be thunderstruck. We little dreamed of such a state of affairs! 

Mrs. G. — I hardly know how to tell papa. He may not understand, 
as you can. I am innocent, mother, of any wrong, and yet I seem to feel 
so guilty — 0, what shall I do! 

Mrs. S. — Of course you are innocent (putting her arms about her). 
You must be brave — this is a severe trial, but — (enters Stapleton, and 
Mrs. S. exclaims) Willson! 

Stapleton — (Observing at once that something is wrong.) Well, 
what does this mean. (Minnie rushes to her father and buries her face 
in his bosom.) Both in tears! Here (raising his daughter's chin) look 
up at me, my little darling. Tut, tut, tut — come, tell me what has hap- 
pened. Has anything gone wrong at home — between you — and — Paul? 

Mrs. G. — Yes — -all wrong. 

Stapleton — How long has this been going on? 

Mrs. G, — Ever since our marriage. 

Stapleton — What! I'm astounded! 

Mrs. S. — Just to think of it, Willson — isn't it a shocking revelation? 

Stapleton — Does Gordon abuse you? 

Mrs. G. — In every way — except to strike me. 

Stapleton — The wretch, he shall answer to me for every indignity 
offered my defenseless little girl — the coward — I — I — 

Mrs. G. — No, no, papa — not that. It would only make matters worse. 

Mrs. S. — Willson, it behooves us to be calm in such a crisis. 0, I 
can hardly believe it of Paul. 

Stapleton — Why haven't you let us know of this before? 

Mrs. G. — I cannot explain — I just lacked the courage, I suppose. I 
wished to spare you the pain — and — the possible scandal of it all (weeps) . 
I just could not endure my lot another hour, and — 

Stapleton — And so you came home. That is right; only I am sorry 
you waited so long. This is your home, always ; and God knows you are 
welcome here — even though you had sinned. Well, we'll try to make 
the most of it. 

Mrs. S. — Maybe on reflection things will assume a different aspect. 
Paul Gordon is like all young fellows — he can't be so bad as you would 
have us believe. You are overwrought, my dear, and you will see your 
error, when you have had time to reconsider. 

Mrs. G. — My error! 

Mrs. S. — I mean, dear, that you are probably mistaken — permitting 
yourself to magnify and overcolor, you know. 

Mrs. G. — My error was committed when I consented to marry Paul 
Gordon. It was a sense of duty that prompted me to make that mistake ; 

23 



but I was not entirely to blame. I took your judgment against my own, 
believing in my innocence that your experience and your motherly con- 
cern would be my safe guide. 

Mrs. S. — Well, dear, you did well . (Addressing her husband.) She 
might have done far worse, eh Willson? Paul Gordon was much sought 
after. Why, Minnie, you know the girls were all crazy about him. He 
is rich, and has given you many advantages — among them a most en- 
viable position socially — 

Mrs. G. — (Almost disgusted.) 0, mother, don't speak to me of riches, 
or social position. These things mean nothing to me. My heart craves 
for affection — just one hour of love, I have never known. (Weeps.) 

Stapleton — (Nodding his head thoughtfully.) I think I understand — 
Minnie is right. 

Mrs. G. — I never loved Paul Gordon — I told you so. It was Harold 
Brandon for whom my young heart craved. You told me that my inter- 
est in Harold was a childish infatuation, and that I would learn to love 
Paul — that he was rich — just as you now say— and could satisfy all the 
desires of my heart. I was without experience — innoeent,ignorant of 
myself — of men, and of the world — but I was dutiful. I foolishly be- 
lieved that love was a thing to be acquired by an act of the will — that it 
might be grown from barren soil — that two beings, temperamentally op- 
posed, might be brought together and harmonize their natures, by simply 
wishing to do so! It is not true, mother. I know now what Senator 
Masters meant when he said — and his words have burned their way 
into my memory — "Love is not a matter of the will, or a thing of the 
tongue; neither is it a commodity of the heart, to be bargained for or 
bartered away." 

Stapleton — Too bad! too bad! — an awful mistake has been made. 
This is a serious problem. 

Mrs. S. — But you have married Paul Gordon, and you must now 
make the most of it. There's no escape — unless you would be willing to 
bring the shame of divorce upon our name. 

Mrs. G. — I have determined upon my course. I want you to know 
my intention and plans; and I want your approval and support — 

Mrs. S. — Of course, Minnie, you shall have our approval and support 
in all things which are good — and — and which will not subject us to the 
criticism and contempt of our neighbors — 

Stapleton — Now, I think it hardly necessary to consider the neigh- 
bors — she is our daughter, and must come first — 

Mrs. G. — In any event, mother, it is my life and happiness against 
the possible whims and notions of your neighbors. 

Mrs, S. — But, my dear, you must not be rash or impetuous. You 
must look before you leap! 

Mrs. G. — I am neither rash nor impetuous. For four long months 
I have put up with every indignity that any white woman was ever 
called upon to endure. I have suffered in patience. For weeks and weeks 
I have put off doing the thing that now seems inevitable. Life is in- 
tolerable with this man, and I cannot think of passing another night 
under his roof. 

Stapleton — Then you have left Gordon? 

Mrs. G. — Forever! 

Mrs. S. — But, dear, you are unduly exercised. She can't be entirely 
responsible, Willson. Patience, dear — you must learn to bear and for- 
bear. Paul is young — and — thoughtless, perhaps; but he will mend his 

24 



ways. Now, there (stroking her hair), there — you must return to him, 
like a dutiful dear — 

Stapleton — Not against her will. 

Mrs. G. — No, never, mother! I do not intend ever to return to him 
— not for one minute. I will go into the street first. Can't you appre- 
ciate my aversion for him — and the possible consequences? Don't you 
understand what I mean? 

Mrs. S. — 0, the shame and the ignominy of it all ! 

Mrs. G. — Yes, but think of the ignominy and the shame of my posi- 
tion! Haven't I made myself clear to you? I came here for the sym- 
pathy that only a woman can give. I am appealing to your mother's 
heart — to your woman's nature. You, of all the world, should not mistake 
me! Would you have me go back to a husband against whom my very 
nature revolts — to be a wife to a lecherous thing — to submit myself to 
the beastly overtures of a man I loathe? Think of the shame and degrada- 
tion of it! 0, mother, why do you force me to speak out! Think of the 
possibility of maternity under such circumstances — the crime of mother- 
ing a child I could not love. (At this point Mrs. Stapleton begins to 
awaken to a sense of the real situation.) Would you subject me to that 
— would you deliver me again into such a bondage? 

Mrs. S. — (Now realizes the real force of what has been said. ) 0, I 
now understand — I do sympathize with you, from the bottom of my heart. 
Willson, I see clearly at last — it is a judgment from heaven! I thought 
I was a good woman — a good mother — but I am neither. I have sacri- 
ficed everything to the conventions. The baubles and the artificialities 
h*ive lured me from the real things of life. In my eagerness for social 
preferment, indeed, I have sold our daughter into a bondage worse than 
slavery — and this is my punishment. I must now pay the penalty for 
my folly. But my eyes are open and my heart turns to my poor 
suffering girl — and I will ransom her, if it takes the last vestige of my 
dearly bought caste. Indeed, I sympathize with you! My heart bleeds 
for you! 

Mrs. G. — Mother! 

Stapleton — You need not rebuke yourself, my dear. You acted 
according to the light given you. Our daughter must be freed from this 
intolerable union, and it matters not, now, what the world may say or 
think about it. We, who have not hesitated to criticize and condemn 
others, must now face a condition in our own lives, and we need not hope 
to escape unscarred. But we shall come out of this ordeal with a 
higher conception of the right. Having suffered ourselves, we will 
develop a better consideration for others who suffer. The shoe is now 
on the other foot — our viewpoint has become radically changed, and we 
are now able to get an entirely new perspective of the question of divorce. 
It's the irony of fate, and yet fate has favored us beyond our deserts. 
Masters has been re-elected. His divorce bill is certain to pass the next 
Legislature; and under this new order a decree of dworce can be secured 
without publicity or scandal of any sort. Little did we dream that this 
great man, whom we have abused and misunderstood, was working out 
our salvation ! 

(Curtain.) 



25 



ACT IV. 

Law Office, Senator Masters, same as Act II. The Senator is seated 
at his desk reading his mail. One day is supposed to have elapsed 
between Act HI and Act IV. (Enter Barcus.) 



Barcus — (Addressing the Senator.) Mr. Frederick Gordon wishes 
to see you, Senator, and privately, he says. 

Masters — Gordon, eh? Anyone with him? 

Barcus — No, sir. 

Masters — Send him in, and don't admit anyone else until our inter- 
view is concluded. (Ex. Barcus.) Gordon! What brings him here? 
He certainly has an axe to grind. (Enter Frederick Gordon.) 

Gordon — Good morning, Senator Masters. 

Masters — Good morning, sir. What unusual happening is the occa- 
sion for this call? 

Gordon — It is an unusual happening that brings me; and, indeed, a 
most singular caprice of fate that brings me to you. 

Masters — So ! 

Gordon — I have come to see you on a matter of very great import- 
ance to me — very great — and possibly of almost equal interest to you. In 
any event, a subject very close to your heart, I judge, and one on which 
you are regarded as somewhat of an authority. 

Masters — You flatter me. I can hardly conceive of the existence of 
any subject in which I am interested being considered of great importance 
to you. I am certainly concerned to know where we reach a common 
ground in our thinking. 

Gordon — Masters, you are just fresh from a victory in this district 
that is distinctively a personal triumph. Every force in the community, 
it seemed, was arrayed against you — the church, the press, your partner 
and the politicians — but you won, notwithstanding all the handicaps. 

Masters — However much my election may appear a personal victory, 
I do not regard it so. It is a vindication of my position on the divorce 
question, of course; but the victory came to me because of the good, 
hard, common sense of the rank and file, to whom I made my appeal. 
They have no axes to grind, no enemies to punish, or friends to reward, 
but just honestly bent on doing the right for the sake of right. 

Gordon — As you know, I was actively engaged against you during 
the campaign — 

Masters — So I was informed — 

Gordon — That is, not against you personally; but I was opposed to 
some of your political, and I may say moral, theories — and, under the 
circumstances, I cannot expect that you will regard with favor any pro- 
posal I may make, although sincerely and honestly made. 

Masters — I hold no malice against any man who opposed me honestly. 
The man who could not conscientiously support my position would be a 
coward to have done otherwise than vote against me. But, to come to 
the purpose of your call, Mr. Gordon. 

Gordon — (Nervously) — Yes, yes, yes. For several months past we 
have come to regard the marriage of our son Paul with Minnie Stapleton 
as — unfortunate. Matters are becoming serious with them — in fact, a 
crisis has been reached, and we are threatened with — well, to say the 

26 



least, a very unenviable airing of family affairs. It seems that Paul and 
his wife cannot reconcile their differences. The girl's mind has become 
perverted of late. Nothing that he can do pleases her. He has given 
her everything her heart could crave, I am sure — an honored name, a 
luxurious home, expensive gowns, and every social advantage — but she 
simply will not be contented. Why, my boy Paul might have married an 
heiress. 

Masters — Why do you come to me with this story? 

Gordon — My son has concluded — and I quite approve his determina- 
tion, humiliating as it may be — to apply for a divorce. There is no good 
reason why my boy should give up his independence — go through life 
bound to a woman who continually criticizes his actions and habits of 
life, and who contributes nothing to his happiness. 

Masters— How about the girl — Mrs. Gordon — her happiness — her 
independence — the demands of her nature — the unsatisfied yearnings of 
her heart? — 

Gordon — That's quite another matter, Senator, and one in which I 
am not so much concerned. My son's peace of mind, and my family 
name, come first. The girl interferes with Paul's freedom, and she is a 
stumbling block in the way of his social aspirations; and she must be 
gotten out of the way. (Masters nods knowingly.) 

Masters — What can I do? How may I be of service to you in this 
affair? 

Gordon — I can hardly expect you to take my son's case, but — eh — 
you can also decline to take the case against him. 

Masters — I do not understand you, Mr. Gordon — this is the first I 
have heard of the matters of which you have just apprised me. 

Gordon — So much the better. You are not committed in any way — 
and — and you are certainly under no obligations to the Stapletons. Mrs. 
Gordon has declared that she will not only contest Paul's action, but 
says she will file a cross-bill, and ask for the decree herself. This must 
not occur — this woman must be defeated in her mad purpose. 

Masters — I can't as yet see wherein all this concerns or interests me. 

Gordon — It's your extreme modesty, Senator. Your presence in 
this case — on either side — would attract the attention of the entire state 
to our family difficulties, and a contest at this time, and the decree 
against Paul, would forever link the name of Gordon with shame and 
disgrace. Mrs. Gordon will seek to retain you, and for the purpose of 
adding as much as possible to the humiliation she has already brought 
upon us. 

Masters — What would you have me do — I am free from any entan- 
glements ? 

Gordon — To business, then, Senator. You have a score to settle 
w ; th the Stapletons, and I am sure you will not allow this opportunity 
to pass unimproved. (Chuckles.) 

Masters — Again, I must say, I do not follow you — 

Gordon — Willson Stapleton deserted you, when you most needed his 
support — his family forced him to do it — but he deserted, nevertheless. 
He quit you in mid-stream, and the current was running fast, too. You 
were not the popular idol then that you are today, but you were the 
center of attack from every quarter — (Enter Barcus; glances in con- 
fused manner at Gordon, and then says, haltingly) : 

Barcus — A — A — lady wishes to see you, sir. Says her business is 
very urgent. 

27 



Masters — She'll have to wait a little while — I'll let you know. (Bar- 
cus ex.) 

Gordon — To resume. While Stapleton could not be induced to take 
the stump against you, he was not active in your support — and his silence, 
as you know, furnished powder for your enemies. Now, the day of reck- 
oning is at hand. Fate favors you with an opportunity that seldom 
comes to any man — to humble the Stapletons to the dust — to strike back, 
and destroy those who would destroy you (chuckling). And I know a 
man of your power can be depended upon to make the most of the sit- 
uation. 

Masters — Your philosophy is good, Gordon. I am much influenced 
by what you say, and I have half a mind to follow your advice. 

Gordon — Then it's a bargain. I want you to decline to take Mrs. 
Gordon's case, that's all — just be too busy with other matters — -and leave 
the rest to me. Here's my check for a thousand dollars (placing check 
on the desk) and when the case is concluded you may call on me for 
five thousand more. That's all I want, Senator. (Starts to go.) 

Masters — You very much overestimate my importance in this action, 
I fear. The court will have something to say. My bill is not yet the law, 
you know. 

Gordon — I can handle the court. Every member on the circuit 
bench is under obligation to our bank, and can be controlled. You are 
the only man we fear — and you provided for, the rest is easy. My son 
must have this decree at any cost. (Continues to chuckle.) 

Masters — (Changing his tone and manner.) At last, I think I un- 
derstand you perfectly. Now, I will close this interview, and in a very 
few sentences — 

Gordon — What do you mean, sir? 

Masters — I said I would close the interview — 

Gordon — But, Masters — 

Masters — And I intend to do all the talking — not another sound out 
of you. Gordon, you are unworthy of the contempt of honest men. You 
are without exception the most unscrupulous old rascal that I have ever 
known — 

Gordon — You wrong me cruelly, sir. 

Masters — Wrong you — you canting old hypocrite — impossible! You 
are a deacon in the church, the leader of a Bible class, a supporter of 
missions; and you never lose an opportunity to advertise your church 
benefactions — to let the people know how much you do for God — and 
yet, for your own ignoble ends, you would not hesitate to abet your 
son's plans to do a dastardly injustice to a blameless woman. 

You are a dangerous man, Gordon — a wolf in sheep's clothing. As 
for your son, who "might have married an heiress," I want to say that 
there never was a minute in his shiftless existence when he was worthy 
to loose the strings of Minnie Stapleton's shoes. This young man may 
have virtues that Irs father lacks, but he never earned a dollar in his 
worthless career, never had an ambition above joy-riding and cigarette 
smoking, and his only apparent claim to respectability is the clothes he 
wears. 

I shall follow your advice, sir, and "destroy those who would destroy 
me," and to that end I shall volunteer my assistance to Mrs. Gordon; 
and I shall consider it a signal privilege to serve so estimable a lady in 
such a worthy cause. 

There's not enough money (taking up Gordon's check) in the state 

28 






of Massachusetts to induce me to join issues with you against this woman, 
or any woman. 

To hell with you and your kind. There's your retainer (tears up 
check and throws it in his face) and there's the door. (Ex. Gordon.) 

(Masters pushes bell, and Barcus enters.) 

Barcus — You called me, sir? 

Masters — Yes. Have her come in — and Barcus, while I am en- 
gaged with this lady, I wish you would get Mrs. Paul Gordon on the 
telephone, and ask her to come here soon as she can do so conveniently. 

Barcus — Why, it is Mrs. Paul Gordon who is waiting you now. 

Masters — Good, good; have her come right in — couldn't be better! 
(Enter Mrs. Gordon.) 

Mrs. Gordon — Senator Masters. 

Masters — (Extending both hands). I am glad to see you, Minnie. 

Mrs. G. — Are you really glad to see me? 

Masters — Perfectly delighted! Have a seat. 

Mrs. G. — And you hold no ill-will towards me? 

Masters — Ill-will towards you — towards a Stapleton? 

Mrs. G. — How unworthy we have been. 

Masters— Why, Minnie, I have known you since you were five min- 
utes old. I have watched your development, from wriggling, cooing in- 
fancy, to charming womanhood — and — I am old enough to tell you the 
truth about it— I've loved you all the while. Talk about ill-will — I'd 
give my arm any time to serve a Stapleton, and both of them to serve 
you. 

Mrs. G. — You embarrass me with your magnanimity. It was 
mother and I who prevailed upon papa to withdraw from his partner- 
ship with you. He did not want to, but we insisted, until he consented. 
Masters — He did right — under the circumstances. 

Mrs. G. — Why Mr. Masters! 

Masters — Your happiness seemed to demand that he make the sac- 
rifice. He did what he conceived to be his duty to his family, and I have 
always admired him for his courage. His action proved that he loved 
me not less, but his family more, that's all. 

Mrs. G. — Indeed, we did not know what we were doing. 

Masters — Now, that's all past. Let's forget about it. I was just 
going to send for you. 

Mrs. G. — What a strange coincidence — that I should come here, un- 
bidden, and just at a time when you wanted to see me. I do not un- 
derstand. 

Masters — But you will when I tell you that I know all about it — 
and I just wanted to tell you that my services were subject to your 
command. 

Mrs. G. — Who's been telling you? 

Masters — I just concluded a very pleasant chat w^th your — er — 
venerable father-in-law, a few minutes ago. He was here while you 
waited in the reception room. 

Mrs. G. — Then he told you all — 

Masters — No — not all, but quite enough. He told me his side, and 
that's all I need to know. Your case is made. I am going to free you 
from this unfortunate union, and the world will not need to know 
about it. 

Mrs. G. — I shall never cease to be grateful — (enter Barcus). 

Barcus — Mr. and Mrs. Stapleton, Senator. 

Masters — Just a minute, Barcus. (Addressing Mrs. Gordon.) Let 

29 



me see them alone for a minute. You step in that room, where I can 
call you. 

Mrs. G. — I expected them here before this. It was yesterday that 
we all came to a realizing sense of our ungraciousness — how we had 
gratuitously wronged you — and papa and mamma determined that it 
was our duty to come to you in person, and to make such mends as we 
could — so — I — I — 

Masters — Sh-h! hurry, hurry (pushes her gently through the door 
and turns to meet the Stapletons, who enter at the other side of the 
stage.) My dear old friends! 

Mrs. Stapleton — I'm fairly overwhelmed, Willson; "friends." (Looks 
appealingly to her husband, who is also somewhat confused.) 

Mr. Stapleton— We have been everything else, Lyman, and we are 
not deserving of such a welcome. (The old partners shake hands.) We 
came here contritely, to acknowledge our fault, and to assure you of our 
deep sorrow and regret. It's late, but nevertheless genuine and sincere. 
And Mrs. Stapleton has come with me, as a further evidence of our per- 
fect good faith. 

Masters — I could not ask or expect so much. You are both very 
dear to me ; and I assure you this formality and ceremony you bring with 
you on this occasion is quite out of place. (Extends hand to Mrs. Sta- 
pleton.) I would rather receive you — and as I do — as old friends re- 
turned from a journey. 

Mrs. S. — I am abashed and confused by the warmth of your greet- 
ing. Indeed, Mr. Masters, I am the guilty one. It was I who insisted 
that Willson should sever his business relations with you, and he con- 
sented only after weeks of nagging on my part; and then entirely out 
of consideration for me. An unexpected sorrow has come to us — our 
Minnie is in deep trouble — and this affliction has shocked me to my 
senses. 

Stapleton — Lyman, you have completely overpowered us with the 
noble and generous spirit you have displayed. It was in your power to 
crush and humiliate us, but instead of rebuking us, you have made ex- 
cuses for us — fairly justified our course — and magnanimously helped us 
out of a most perplexing difficulty. 

Masters — Let's not discuss it further; and please remember, both 
of you, that your admissions and explanations are quite unnecessary. I 
have understood all along. You, madam, had a perfect right to disagree 
w:th me — and I have always esteemed Willson the more because he did 
not allow me to win him away from you. 

Mrs. S. — Can't you say some bitter, cutting, disagreeable thing — so 
we won't feel at such a disadvantage? 

Masters — (Slapping Stapleton on the shoulder — both laugh.) I re- 
gret very much to learn of your daughter's unfortunate trouble — 

Mrs. S. — Then you know of it? It is already public goss ; p? 

Masters — No, hardly that. (Goes to the door and beckons Mrs. 
Gordon.) I got the news (presenting Mrs. Gordon) from one of the 
parties most concerned. 

Stapleton — So you beat us here. (Shaking his finger at her.) 

Mrs. S. — She came ahead, . Willson, to spare us the pain that a 
repetition of the story of her trials would occasion (taking her daughter 
in her arms), the dear that she is. 

Mrs. G. — I have not told him, mother — only in the most general 
way — and — 

Masters — It will not be necessary to tell me, or any other person! 

30 



When my bill becomes the law — and it will be the law within ninety days 
^the unhappily married will not be required — nay, not permitted — to 
publicly assail each other; to defile and defame the name of one who 
once was loved. When my bill becomes the law, no wronged and suf- 
fering woman will have need to make charges against her husband ; or to 
detail, for the delectation of a curious and gossipy public, any of the 
indignities she may have endured; or to confess any of her own frail- 
ties or mistakes. The aggrieved wife will determine her own course — 
taking such counsel as she shall elect — and, if she is willing to ask for 
a divorce, the court will have no discretion but to issue the decree upon 
her request. 

In your case, the world will need to know only this : Minnie Staple- 
ton was unhappy in her married life, and she divorced her husband. 
There will be nothing in evidence, or of record, that will make your pri- 
vate sorrow a public scandal. 

Mrs. S. — But the very idea of divorce is shocking to me. The 
simple contemplation of such an evil thing causes me to shudder. 

Stapleton — Why, divorce is not an evil, my dear. It is simply a 
misfortune for those who must accept its refuge. 

Masters — Exactly; that is well spoken, Willson. To many thousands 
divorce has come as an unmeasured blessing. Singularly enough, divorce, 
which is the the only means of escape from a condition filled with possi- 
bilities of evil, is itself regarded an evil. This is a popular error. 

Mrs. S. — I wish I could bring myself to see it as you do. 

Masters— Just a thought, now, that may help you to disabuse your 
mind of this bugaboo that imposes itself on your too sensitive conscience. 

If divorce is an evil, then the affinities of nature are a lie and a 
delusion. 

If divorce is an evil, then it is a good and holy thing for men and 
women who are magnetically repellant and temperamentally repugnant 
to persist in a state of wedlock — to bicker and contend and wrangle and 
scold and hate — until sweet death do them part. 

If divorce is an evil, then crimination and recrimination are virtues, 
to be practiced and extolled. 

If divorce is an evil, then acrimony and strife and discord and 
malignant hatred are born of heaven, and woe be to that impious and 
debased creature who would dare to supplant them with kindliness and 
concord and harmony and companionship and sympathetic love. 

Why, my friends, divorce is the safety valve of society. It is the 
device of the law that relieves the bursting tension of overwrought tem- 
peraments, and makes it possible to bring peace and quiet out of rancor 
and rebellion. 

Mrs. S. — I cannot combat your argument — and it takes hold on my 
reason, too — but, for me, divorce is like flying in the face of the Almighty 
— it's a complete turning away from long cherished Christian ideals. 

Masters — Even so. You look through a colored glass, and frighten 
yourself unduly. Not more than two centruies ago witches were burned 
at the stake right here in Salem, and men were placed in the stocks and 
otherwise punished for kissing their wives on the Sabbath. Those savage 
and senseless acts were in accordance with Christian ideals of that past 
day, and they had been long cherished by good people, but, thank heaven, 
we have radically turned away from them. 

Stapleton — You see, Lyman, Mrs. Stapleton has always believed in 
the scriptural theory that marriages are made in heaven, and that a 

31 



JA N 2 1912 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



'JAN 2 1912 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



017 400 014 1 I 



